An Instructive 'Merrily' Wins The Day!

Near the beginning of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Merrily, We Roll Along (now revived on Broadway) there’s a song sung by the character Mary (expertly portrayed by Lindsay Mendez) in which Mary begs her two best friends (Frank and Charley) to repair their fractured relationship. Mary wants things to go back to the way they were. She wants the three of them to be best friends, chums — ”the way it was.” But at the end of the song Mary admits that the way she wants it to be really "never ever was .” You have to listen closely for this line in the song Like It Was but in it lies one of the keys to the whole show.

Because our recollections of the way things were are nothing more than well-worn dreams – – dreams of the way we wanted things to be; dreams of the way we thought things might turn out; dreams of all the wonderful things we hoped might lie ahead for us. But dreams are only that – – dreams. They’re ephemeral. They do not foretell reality. And this most heartfelt of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals is, at its core, a tuneful but nonetheless instructive homily about letting go of your dreams.

The other key takeaway from the story of Frank, Mary and Charley is this: if you want to reach the top; if you want to be really rich and famous; if you honestly want it all, you’d better be prepared to also let go of many of the people you encountered along the way, including people who’ve helped you and yes, treasured friends and loved ones as well.

At the end of this story, Frank’s life lies in shambles and Mary and Charley are left damaged from their relationship with him. He's toxic.

And this is a musical?

Damned right!

Indeed, this is one brilliant Sondheim musical with a book by George Furth adapted from then original George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play of the same name. And, fortunately for this show, the action moves backwards from end to beginning so the whole thing unfolds almost as a series of consecutive flashbacks. That’s good news because, strangely enough, movings backwards makes it all palatable and at the end we still have our dreams and some semblance of hope

In 1981 when this musical debuted on Broadway audiences weren’t quite ready for it and frankly, the show itself wasn’t ready for the Big Time. It flopped.

It took all these years, lots of tinkering, workshops and later productions (mostly in the UK) to bring the show to where it is now. Under Maria Friedman’s superb direction and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, the show is reborn as a the cautionary tale of a man who gave up everything simply to discover that familiar truth: it’s lonely at the top — very lonely!

The narrative has been strengthened in this”new” Merrily. Consequently, it’s quite talky. But the dialogue is necessary to flesh out the three principals. Jonathan Groff’s Frank is appropriately conflicted before he’s hopelessly seduced. Groff is a perfect leading man here — compelling but illusive at the same time. Daniel Radcliffe’s Charley is a lovable lyricist who fights to hold onto his ideals and his artistic integrity. When he sings Franklin Shepard, Inc. it completely stops the show. It’s positively definitive. And Mary? Well, she’s sorta the preverbal third wheel but also a best selling author who’s harbored a lifelong crush on Frank. This is a classic case of unrequited love — enough to turn anyone (including Mary) into an alcoholic. Groff Radcliffe and Mendez own these roles.

And here’s the secret: they don’t oversell the songs. There’s no need to belt when the material is this good. And these three are nothing less than triumphant. Plus, the supporting cast (including Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke and Reg Rogers) is strong as well. Rogers’ version of Not A Day Goes By is heart wrenching.

Merrily We Roll Along has always been a treasure trove of great Sondheim songs tumbling forward like sparkling gems: Our Time, Opening Doors, Good Thing Going, Now You Know and It’s A Hit in addition to the aforementioned Like It Was, Franklin Shepard Inc and Not a Day Goes By. The score is dazzling in a way that no other show on the Great White Way can match.

If this show doesn’t scoop up a pocketful of Tony Awards (including Best Revival of a Musical) then you can hit the sack and go back to your childish dreams of what might have been.

On a scale of one to ten, this one is a solid 11!

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VIDEO: Glynis Johns At 100; Remarkable Life!

This Summer, One HOT Show Triumphs!

When the movie Some Like It Hot opened in 1959 directed by Billy Wilder and starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis it was an instant sensation. It soon entered the annals of movie classics and today, nearly 65 years later, it's considered one of the greatest screen comedies ever. In fact, many rank it at the very top or among the top three. And who can forget pretty boy Curtis and the swift footed Lemon disguised as babes in an all girl band as they flee the mob in depression era Chicago?

But in 1972 when they made a musical stage production (titled Sugar) which was based on the film, things did not work out quite so well. Even though it featured Broadway stars Bobby Morse, Tony Roberts, Cyril Ritchard and Elaine Joyce, the show was only a modest hit, running for 505 performances. Though it had several reincarnations elsewhere, Sugar was never revived on the Great White Way.

But now there is a big, splashy new musical on Broadway called Some Like It Hot that's based on the 1959 movie and retains much of the original story line. With a new book by Matthew López and Andrew Rubin, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Whittman Some Like It Hot, the musical, boasts the sort of proven talent that usually leads to a long Broadway run. And this time, with a whopping 13 Tony award nominations, the show could have a Very Big Night when the awards are handed out on June 11. 

In fact, there's hardly an awards category in which Some Like It Hot hasn't been nominated. And guess what? Every nomination is amply justified and the evidence is right there on stage, live eight times a week at Broadway's legendary Schubert Theatre. 

In the lead roles Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee and Adrianna Hicks make musical comedy come alive with devilishly delightful performances. Together with Kevin Del Aguila, Nattasha Yvette Williams, Adam Heller, Mark Lotito, and Angie Schworer, this is a dazzling ensemble that delivers split-second timing, uproarious antics, toe-tapping steps and memorable tunes. There are so many big production numbers in this show that it's hard to figure out which ones to highlight. The title song is a genuine rouser but there are others (notably I'm California Bound and Let's Be Bad) that are equally delightful. But there are ballads as well and zany spoof songs (such as Dance The World Away) that trigger belly laughs.

No expense has been spared on this production which features a big orchestra, full Broadway sound, delightful sets, eye-popping costumes and lighting that caters to the quick takes, fade outs and other cinematic touches that borrow from Wilder's film. But don't expect the chase-based story to exactly follow the movie. For one thing, this is 2023, not 1959 and cross dressing has a whole new connotation in the age of gender fluidity. But here's the deal: though the show embraces modern sensibilities it's not (perish the thought!) "reimagined". No, this Some Like It Hot is played for laughs rather lectures, remaining faithful to the endearing sentiment of the original. Which is to say it strikes just the right balance in the tradition of such blockbusters as La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots.

This is Broadway heaven. Don't miss it!

Coming To The Big Screen Gloriously, This July!

Oh, what a beautiful day! This July, the magic and energy of live theatre is coming to cinemas around the globe with the National Theatre’s acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! Starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, alongside Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle and Shuler Hensley, this riveting stage production was filmed during its record-breaking 1998 run in London.

Get tickets here: https://oklahomaincinemas.com/ Directed by theatre legend Trevor Nunn (CATS, Les Misérables) with new choreography by Susan Stroman, Oklahoma! features some of musical theatre’s most delightfully hummable songs, including “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey With The Fringe On Top” and the joyous title tune, “Oklahoma”. Now one of the most beloved musicals ever to grace the stage is coming to the big screen 80 years after it first premiered on Broadway. Grab your friends and ride your surrey to a cinema near you! CONNECT WITH RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN http://www.rodgersandhammerstein.com​ http://www.facebook.com/RodgersandHam... https://twitter.com/RnH_Org http://instagram.com/rodgersandhammer... https://www.tiktok.com/@rodgersandham... ABOUT RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN After long and highly distinguished careers with other collaborators, Richard Rodgers (Composer, 1902-1979) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Librettist/Lyricist, 1895-1960) joined forces in 1943 to create the most successful partnership in American musical theater. Prior to joining forces, Rodgers collaborated with lyricist Lorenz Hart on musical comedies that epitomized wit and sophistication (Pal Joey, On Your Toes, Babes In Arms and more), while Hammerstein brought new life to operetta and created the classic Show Boat with Jerome Kern. Oklahoma!, the first Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, introduced an integrated form that became known as “the musical play.” Their shows that followed included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music. Collectively, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals have earned Tony, Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, Pulitzer, and Olivier Awards. The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization is a Concord Company, www.concord.com. #Oklahoma #OklahomaMusical #OK80 #HughJackman #Broadway #Theater #Theatre #MusicalTheater #MusicalTheatre #Musical #RodgersAndHammerstein #RichardRodgers #OscarHammerstein #Rodgers #Hammerstein

ALL The Broadway '23 Nominations, ALL In One Place: Tonys, Drama League, Outer Critics, Drama Desk!

First, let's get right to the 2023 Tony nominations:

Here is the full nominations list, supplied by the Tonys, below:

Best Play

Ain’t No Mo’

Between Riverside and Crazy

Cost of Living

Fat Ham

Leopoldstadt

Best Musical

& Juliet

Kimberly Akimbo

New York, New York

Shucked

Some Like It Hot

Best Revival of a Play

August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

A Doll’s House

The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window

Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog

Best Revival of a Musical

Into the Woods

Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Parade

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Book of a Musical

& Juliet
David West Read

Kimberly Akimbo
David Lindsay-Abaire

New York, New York
David Thompson & Sharon Washington

Shucked
Robert Horn

Some Like It Hot
Matthew López & Amber Ruffin

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Almost Famous
Music: Tom Kitt
Lyrics: Cameron Crowe & Tom Kitt

Kimberly Akimbo
Music: Jeanine Tesori Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

KPOP
Music & Lyrics: Helen Park & Max Vernon

Shucked
Music and Lyrics: Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally

Some Like It Hot
Music: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog

Corey Hawkins, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog

Sean Hayes, Good Night, Oscar

Stephen McKinley Henderson, Between Riverside and Crazy

Wendell Pierce, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Jessica Chastain, A Doll’s House

Jodie Comer, Prima Facie

Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976

Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Christian Borle, Some Like It Hot

J. Harrison Ghee, Some Like It Hot

Josh Groban, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Brian d’Arcy James, Into the Woods

Ben Platt, Parade

Colton Ryan, New York, New York

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sara Bareilles, Into the Woods

Victoria Clark, Kimberly Akimbo

Lorna Courtney, & Juliet

Micaela Diamond, Parade

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Jordan E. Cooper, Ain’t No Mo’

Samuel L. Jackson, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson

Arian Moayed, A Doll’s House

Brandon Uranowitz, Leopoldstadt

David Zayas, Cost of Living

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Nikki Crawford, Fat Ham

Crystal Lucas-Perry, Ain’t No Mo’

Miriam Silverman, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window

Katy Sullivan, Cost of Living

Kara Young, Cost of Living

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Kevin Cahoon, Shucked

Justin Cooley, Kimberly Akimbo

Kevin Del Aguila, Some Like It Hot

Jordan Donica, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Alex Newell, Shucked

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Julia Lester, Into the Woods

Ruthie Ann Miles, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Bonnie Milligan, Kimberly Akimbo

NaTasha Yvette Williams, Some Like It Hot

Betsy Wolfe, & Juliet

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Miriam Buether, Prima Facie

Tim Hatley & Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi

Rachel Hauck, Good Night, Oscar

Richard Hudson, Leopoldstadt

Dane Laffrey & Lucy Mackinnon, A Christmas Carol

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York

Mimi Lien, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Michael Yeargan & 59 Productions, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Scott Pask, Shucked

Scott Pask, Some Like It Hot

Best Costume Design of a Play

Tim Hatley, Nick Barnes & Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi

Dominique Fawn Hill, Fat Ham

Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Leopoldstadt

Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’

Emilio Sosa, Good Night, Oscar

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Some Like It Hot

Susan Hilferty, Parade

Jennifer Moeller, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Clint Ramos & Sophia Choi, KPOP

Paloma Young, & Juliet

Donna Zakowska, New York, New York

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Neil Austin, Leopoldstadt

Natasha Chivers, Prima Facie

Jon Clark, A Doll’s House Bradley King, Fat Ham

Tim Lutkin, Life of Pi

Jen Schriever, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Ben Stanton, A Christmas Carol

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Ken Billington, New York, New York

Lap Chi Chu, Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot

Heather Gilbert, Parade

Howard Hudson, & Juliet

Natasha Katz, Some Like It Hot

Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Sound Design of a Play

Jonathan Deans & Taylor Williams, Ain’t No Mo’

Carolyn Downing, Life of Pi

Joshua D. Reid, A Christmas Carol

Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House

Ben & Max Ringham, Prima Facie

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada, New York, New York

John Shivers, Shucked

Scott Lehrer & Alex Neumann, Into the Woods

Gareth Owen, & Juliet

Nevin Steinberg, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Best Direction of a Play

Saheem Ali, Fat Ham

Jo Bonney, Cost of Living

Jamie Lloyd, A Doll’s House

Patrick Marber, Leopoldstadt

Stevie Walker-Webb, Ain’t No Mo’ Max Webster, Life of Pi

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, Parade

Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods

Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot

Jack O’Brien, Shucked

Jessica Stone, Kimberly Akimbo

Best Choreography

Steven Hoggett, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot

Susan Stroman, New York, New York

Jennifer Weber, & Juliet

Jennifer Weber, KPOP

Best Orchestrations

Bill Sherman and Dominic Fallacaro, & Juliet

John Clancy, Kimberly Akimbo

Jason Howland, Shucked

Charlie Rosen & Bryan Carter, Some Like It Hot

Daryl Waters & Sam Davis, New York, New York

And the 2023 Outer Critics Circle Awards nominations are:

Outstanding New Broadway Musical: & Juliet; A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical; New York, New York; Shucked; Some Like It Hot

Outstanding New Broadway Play: Good Night, Oscar; Leopoldstadt; Life of Pi; Peter Pan Goes Wrong; Summer, 1976

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical: The Bedwetter; Between the Lines; The Harder They Come; Only Gold; Without You

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play: Becomes a Woman; A Case for the Existence of God; Chester Bailey; Downstate; Letters from Max, a ritual

John Gassner Award for New American Play (Preferably by a New Playwright):  Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J. Haddad; Epiphany by Brian Watkins; Fat Ham by James Ijames; Wolf Play by Hansol Jung; You Will Get Sick by Noah Diaz

Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway): Death of a Salesman;  Endgame; Ohio State Murders; Topdog/Underdog; Wedding Band

Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway): A Man of No Importance; Into the Woods; Merrily We Roll Along; Parade; Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical: Micaela Diamond – Parade; J. Harrison Ghee – Some Like It Hot; Caroline Innerbichler – Shucked; Colton Ryan – New York, New York; Anna Uzele – New York, New York

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical: Kevin Del Aguila – Some Like It Hot; Julia Lester – Into the Woods; Alex Newell – Shucked; NaTasha Yvette Williams – Some Like It Hot; Betsy Wolfe – & Juliet

Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play: Hiran Abeysekera – Life of Pi;  Jessica Chastain – A Doll’s House; Corey Hawkins – Topdog/Underdog; Sean Hayes – Good Night, Oscar; Audra McDonald – Ohio State Murders

Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play: Danielle Brooks – The Piano Lesson; Sharon D Clarke – Death of a Salesman; Michael Potts – The Piano Lesson; Brandon Uranowitz – Leopoldstadt; David Zayas – Cost of Living

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play: Ephraim Birney – Chester Bailey; Brittany Bradford – Wedding Band; Marylouise Burke – Epiphany; Bill Irwin – Endgame; Emma Pfitzer Price – Becomes a Woman

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Play: Veanne Cox – Wedding Band; Glenn Davis – Downstate; Todd Freeman – Downstate; Francis Guinan – Downstate;  Susanna Guzman – Downstate

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical: Nicholas Barasch – The Butcher Boy; Callum Francis – Kinky Boots; Jonathan Groff – Merrily We Roll Along; Natey Jones – The Harder They Come; Marla Mindelle – Titanique

Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical: Vicki Lewis – Between the Lines; Lindsay Mendez – Merrily We Roll Along; Daniel Radcliffe – Merrily We Roll Along; A.J. Shively – A Man of No Importance; Mare Winningham – A Man of No Importance

Outstanding Solo Performance: Mike Birbiglia – The Old Man & the Pool; Jodie Comer – Prima Facie; Jefferson Mays – A Christmas Carol; Sam Morrison – Sugar Daddy; Anthony Rapp – Without You

Outstanding New Score: Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel – Between the Lines; Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally – Shucked; John Kander and Lin-Manuel Miranda – New York, New York; Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman – The Bedwetter; Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman – Some Like It Hot

Outstanding Book of a Musical: Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli – Titanique; Robert Horn – Shucked; Matthew López and Amber Ruffin – Some Like it Hot; Suzan-Lori Parks – The Harder They Come; David West Read – & Juliet

Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical): Jason Ardizzone-West – Wedding Band; John Lee Beatty – Epiphany; Beowulf Boritt – New York, New York; Mimi Lien – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; Simon Scullion – Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical): Dede Ayite – Topdog/Underdog;  Gregg Barnes – Some Like it Hot; Brigitte Reiffenstuel – Leopoldstadt; Paloma Young – & Juliet; Donna Zakowska – New York, New York

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical): Neil Austin – Leopoldstadt; Ken Billington – New York, New York; Ken Elliott and Ben Stanton – A Christmas Carol; Natasha Katz – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; Tim Lutkin – Life of Pi

Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical): John Gromada – Jasper; Kai Harada – New York, New York; Daniel Kluger – Epiphany; André Pluess – Good Night, Oscar; Joshua D. Reid – A Christmas Carol

Outstanding Video or Projection Design (Play or Musical): Christopher Ash and Beowulf Boritt – New York, New York; Andrzej Goulding – Life of Pi; Lucy Mackinnon – A Christmas Carol; Isaac Madge – Leopoldstadt; Sven Ortel – Parade

Outstanding Orchestrations: Bryan Carter and Charlie Rosen – Some Like It Hot; Sam Davis and Daryl Waters – New York, New York; Jason Howland – Shucked; Bill Sherman – & Juliet; Jonathan Tunick – Merrily We Roll Along

Outstanding Director of a Musical: Michael Arden – Parade; Maria Friedman – Merrily We Roll Along; Casey Nicholaw – Some Like It Hot; Jack O’Brien – Shucked; Susan Stroman – New York, New York

Outstanding Choreography: Andy Blankenbuehler – Only Gold; Edgar Godineaux – The Harder They Come; Casey Nicholaw – Some Like It Hot; Susan Stroman – New York, New York; Jennifer Weber – & Juliet

Outstanding Director of a Play: Kenny Leon – Topdog/Underdog; Pam MacKinnon – Downstate; Patrick Marber – Leopoldstadt; Adam Meggido – Peter Pan Goes Wrong; Max Webster – Life of Pi

Special Achievement Award: To B.H. Barry, one of the world’s foremost fight directors.

Now, the 2023 Drama League nominations:

Outstanding Play

A Case for the Existence of God by Samuel D. Hunter, Signature Theatre

Fat Ham by James Ijames, The Public Theater and National Black Theatre Leopoldstadt by Tom Stoppard on Broadway

Love by Alexander Zeldin, Park Avenue Armory

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller on Broadway

Wish You Were Here by Sanaz Toossi, Playwrights Horizons

Outstanding Musical

& Juliet on Broadway

Between the Lines 

F*ck7thGrade, The Wild Project

Shucked on Broadway

Some Like it Hot on Broadway

White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

 

Outstanding Revival of a Play

A Raisin in the Sun, The Public Theater

Death of a Salesman on Broadway

Endgame, Irish Repertory Theatre

The Piano Lesson on Broadway

Ohio State Murders on Broadway

Wedding Band, Theatre for a New Audience

 

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company

Into the Woods on Broadway

Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop

Parade on Broadway

Sweeney Todd on Broadway

 

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Hiran Abeysekera in Life of Pi on Broadway

Kyle Beltran in A Case for the Existence of God, Signature Theatre

Will Brill in A Case for the Existence of God, Signature Theatre

Brittany Bradford in Wedding Band, Theatre for a New Audience

Jessica Chastain in A Doll’s House on Broadway

Sharon D Clarke in Death of a Salesman on Broadway

Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar on Broadway

Denise Manning in Amani, National Black Theatre and Rattlestick Theater

Audra McDonald in Ohio State Murders on Broadway

Wendell Pierce in Death of a Salesman on Broadway

John Douglas Thompson in Endgame, Irish Repertory Theatre

Kara Young in Twelfth Night, The Classical Theatre of Harlem

 

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford in Sweeney Todd on Broadway

Nicholas Barasch in The Butcher Boy, Irish Repertory Theatre 

Sara Bareilles in Into the Woods on Broadway

Andrew Burnap in Camelot on Broadway

Micaela Diamond in Parade on Broadway

Andrew Durand in Shucked on Broadway

Callum Francis in Kinky Boots, Stage 42

J. Harrison Ghee in Some Like it Hot on Broadway 

Jonathan Groff in Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop

Somi Kakoma in Dreaming Zenzile, New York Theatre Workshop

Lindsay Mendez in Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop

Anna Uzele in New York, New York

 

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Emily Bergl in Good Night, Oscar on Broadway

Danielle Brooks in The Piano Lesson on Broadway

Amelda Brown in Love, Park Avenue Armory

Ray Fisher in The Piano Lesson on Broadway

K. Todd Freeman in Downstate, Playwrights Horizons

Francis Guinan in Downstate, Playwrights Horizons

Nick Holder in Love, Park Avenue Armory

Arian Moayed in A Doll’s House on Broadway

Brian Quijada in Wolf Play, MCC Theater and Soho Rep

Miriam Silverman in The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Brooklyn Academy of Music

Brandon Uranowitz in Leopoldstadt on Broadway

Kara Young in Cost of Living on Broadway 

 

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical

Kevin Cahoon in Shucked on Broadway 

Kevin Del Aguila in Some Like it Hot on Broadway 

Robyn Hurder in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway

Mark Jacoby in A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway 

Tarra Conner Jones in White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Julia Lester in Into the Woods on Broadway

Alex Newell in Shucked on Broadway

Daniel Radcliffe in Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop

Phillipa Soo in Into the Woods on Broadway

Mare Winningham in A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company

 

Outstanding Direction of a Play

Zi Alikhan, On That Day in Amsterdam, Primary Stages

Shayok Misha Chowdhury, Public Obscenities, Soho Rep and NAATCO

Miranda Cromwell, Death of a Salesman on Broadway 

Adam Meggido, Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway

Max Webster, Life of Pi on Broadway

Alexander Zeldin, Love, Park Avenue Armory

 

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Jeff Calhoun, Between the Lines

John Doyle, A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company

Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along, New York Theatre Workshop

Thomas Kail, Sweeney Todd on Broadway

Jack O’Brien, Shucked on Broadway

 

Outstanding Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, Only Gold, MCC Theater

Tislarm Bouie, the bandaged place

Edgar Godineaux, The Harder They Come, The Public Theater

Casey Nicholaw, Some Like it Hot on Broadway 

Susan Stroman, New York, New York on Broadway 

Jennifer Weber, KPOP on Broadway

 

Outstanding Music

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked on Broadway

Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Tom Kitt and AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal designer), Almost Famous on Broadway

Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, Between the Lines

The Kilbanes, Weightless, WP Theater

 

Outstanding Lyrics

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, Shucked on Broadway

Jonathan Hogue, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical

Michael R. Jackson, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, The Bedwetter, Atlantic Theater Company

Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, Some Like it Hot on Broadway

 

Outstanding Book of a Musical

Jonathan Hogue, Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical

Robert Horn, Shucked on Broadway

Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, Some Like it Hot on Broadway

Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue, Titanique 

David West Read, & Juliet on Broadway

 

Outstanding Orchestrations

Bruce Coughlin, A Man of No Importance, Classic Stage Company

Jason Howland, Shucked on Broadway

Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, Some Like it Hot on Broadway

Kenny Seymour, The Harder They Come, The Public Theater

Daryl Waters and Sam Davis, New York, New York on Broadway 

 

Outstanding Music in a Play

Ben Edelman, Zane Pais and Sinan Refik Zafar, Letters from Max, a ritual, Signature Theatre

Mauricio Escamilla, the bandaged place, Roundabout Theatre Company

Suzan-Lori Parks, Plays for the Plague Year, The Public Theater

Ian Ross, Wuthering Heights, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre

Daniel Schlosberg, Montag, Soho Rep

 

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play

Jason Ardizzone-West, Wedding Band, Theatre for a New Audience

Beowulf Boritt, Ohio State Murders on Broadway

dots, Public Obscenities, Soho Rep and NAATCO

Tim Hatley, Life of Pi on Broadway

Natasha Jenkins, Love, Park Avenue Armory

John McDermott, Chains, Mint Theater Company

 

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical

Beowulf Boritt, New York, New York on Broadway

David Korins, Only Gold, MCC Theater

Scott Pask, Shucked on Broadway

Walt Spangler and Brendan McCann (production props), Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical

Michael Yeargan, Camelot on Broadway

 

Outstanding Costume Design of a Play

Kara Branch, According to the Chorus, New Light Theater Project

Enver Chakartash, Public Obscenities, Soho Rep and NAATCO

Qween Jean, Wedding Band, Theatre for a New Audience

Sarah Laux, Wish You Were Here, Playwright Horizons

Emilio Sosa, Ain’t No Mo’ on Broadway

Roberto Surace, Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway

 

Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Some Like it Hot on Broadway

Tilly Grimes, Shucked on Broadway 

Jennifer Moeller, Camelot on Broadway 

Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi, KPOP on Broadway 

Anita Yavich, Only Gold, MCC Theater

Donna Zakowska, New York, New York on Broadway

 

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play

Isabella Byrd, Epiphany, Lincoln Center Theater

Jiyoun Chang, The Far Country, Atlantic Theater Company

Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams (video), Prima Facie on Broadway

Allen Lee Hughes, Ohio State Murders on Broadway 

Cha See, On That Day in Amsterdam, Primary Stages

Japhy Weideman, The Piano Lesson on Broadway

 

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical

Ken Billington, New York, New York on Broadway

Jeff Croiter, Only Gold, MCC Theater

Heather Gilbert, Parade on Broadway

David Grill, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ on Broadway 

Natasha Katz, Sweeney Todd on Broadway

 

Outstanding Projection and Video Design

Simon Baker, Wuthering Heights, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, and National Theatre

Andrzej Goulding, Life of Pi on Broadway

Caite Hevner, Between the Lines, Tony Kiser Theater

Josh Higgason, White Girl in Danger, Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Nicholas Hussong, On That Day in Amsterdam, Primary Stages

Johnny Moreno, Public Obscenities, Soho Rep and NAATCO

 

Outstanding Sound Design of a Play

Justin Ellington, Ohio State Murders on Broadway

Tom Gibbons, Hamlet, Park Avenue Armory

Josh Anio Grigg, Love, Park Avenue Armory

Lee Kinney and Daniel Kluger, You Will Get Sick, Roundabout Theatre Company

Ben & Max Ringham, A Doll’s House on Broadway

Mikaal Sulaiman, Fat Ham, The Public Theater and National Black Theatre

 

Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical

Peter Hylenski, Almost Famous on Broadway

Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, Into the Woods on Broadway

John Shivers, Shucked on Broadway

Joanna Lynne Staub, Weightless, WP Theater

Jon Weston, Parade on Broadway

 

Outstanding Wig and Hair

Campbell Young Associates, Almost Famous on Broadway 

Cookie Jordan, The Piano Lesson on Broadway 

Mia M. Neal, Ain’t No Mo’ on Broadway 

Earon Nealey, Twelfth Night, The Classical Theatre of Harlem

Mitsuteru Okuyama, Chushingura 47 Ronin

Luc Verschueren, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway

 

Outstanding Solo Performance

Jodie Comer in Prima Facie on Broadway

David Greenspan in Four Saints in Three Acts, Lucille Lortel Theatre

Jessica Hendy in Walking With Bubbles, AMT Theater

Anthony Rapp in Without You 

Tracy Thorne in Jack Was Kind, Irish Repertory Theatre

 

Unique Theatrical Experience

Asi Wind’s Inner Circle

Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway 

Plays for the Plague Year, The Public Theater

Zephyr, Cirque Mechanics at New Victory Theater

 

Outstanding Fight Choreography

B.H. Barry, Camelot on Broadway

Rocio Mendez, Día Y Noche, LAByrinth Theater Company

Rocio Mendez, How to Defend Yourself, New York Theatre Workshop

Unkledave’s Fight-House, soft, MCC Theater

 

Outstanding Adaptation

A Doll’s House by Amy Herzog on Broadway

Arden of Faversham by Jeffrey Hatcher and Kathryn Walat, Red Bull Theater

black odyssey by Marcus Gardley, Classic Stage Company

Oresteia by Robert Icke, Park Avenue Armory

Wuthering Heights by Emma Rice, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre

 

Outstanding Puppetry

John Leader, Wuthering Heights, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre

James Ortiz (design), Kennedy Kanagawa (as Milky White), Into the Woods on Broadway

Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, Life of Pi on Broadway

Kirjan Waage, The Immortal Jellyfish Girl, Wakka Wakka and Nordland Visual Theatre at 59E59 Theaters

 

Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen McKinley Henderson 

Ensemble Award

The cast of Soho Rep’s Public Obscenities: Tashnuva Anan, Abrar Haque, Golam Sarwar Harun, Gargi Mukherjee, NaFis, Jakeem Dante Powell and Debashis Roy Chowdhury

 

Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award

From his standout performance in american (tele)visions, to writing and performing the autobiographical Dark Disabled Stories, Ryan J. Haddad’s work this season has expanded on and interrogated what the idea of “accessibility” really means. 

And finally, here is the full list of nominees for the 2022-2023 Drama Desk Awards: 

Outstanding Play

"A Case for the Existence of God," by Samuel D. Hunter, Signature Theatre
"Fat Ham, by James Ijames," The Public Theater and National Black Theatre
"Leopoldstadt," by Tom Stoppard
"Love," by Alexander Zeldin, Park Avenue Armory
"Prima Facie," by Suzie Miller
"Wish You Were Here," by Sanaz Toossi, Playwrights Horizons

Outstanding Musical

"& Juliet"
"Between the Lines"
"F*ck7thGrade," The Wild Project
"Shucked"
"Some Like it Hot"
"White Girl in Danger," Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater

Outstanding Revival of a Play

"A Raisin in the Sun," The Public Theater
"Death of a Salesman"
"Endgame," Irish Repertory Theatre
"The Piano Lesson"
"Ohio State Murders"
"Wedding Band," Theatre for a New Audience

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

"A Man of No Importance," Classic Stage Company
"Into the Woods"
"Merrily We Roll Along," New York Theatre Workshop
"Parade"
"Sweeney Todd"

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

Hiran Abeysekera, "Life of Pi"
Kyle Beltran, "A Case for the Existence of God," Signature Theatre
Will Brill, "A Case for the Existence of God," Signature Theatre
Brittany Bradford, "Wedding Band," Theatre for a New Audience
Jessica Chastain, "A Doll’s House"
Sharon D Clarke, "Death of a Salesman"
Sean Hayes, "Good Night, Oscar"
Denise Manning, "Amani," National Black Theatre and Rattlestick Theater
Audra McDonald, "Ohio State Murders"
Wendell Pierce, "Death of a Salesman"
John Douglas Thompson, "Endgame," Irish Repertory Theatre
Kara Young, "Twelfth Night," The Classical Theatre of Harlem

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical

Annaleigh Ashford, "Sweeney Todd"
Nicholas Barasch, "The Butcher Boy," Irish Repertory Theatre
Sara Bareilles, "Into the Woods"
Andrew Burnap, "Camelot"
Micaela Diamond, "Parade"
Andrew Durand, "Shucked"
Callum Francis, "Kinky Boots," Stage 42
J. Harrison Ghee, "Some Like it Hot"
Jonathan Groff, "Merrily We Roll Along," New York Theatre Workshop
Somi Kakoma, "Dreaming Zenzile," New York Theatre Workshop
Lindsay Mendez, "Merrily We Roll Along," New York Theatre Workshop
Anna Uzele, "New York, New York"

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play

Emily Bergl, "Good Night, Oscar"
Danielle Brooks, "The Piano Lesson"
Amelda Brown, "Love," Park Avenue Armory
Ray Fisher, "The Piano Lesson"
K. Todd Freeman, "Downstate," Playwrights Horizons
Francis Guinan, "Downstate," Playwrights Horizons
Nick Holder, "Love," Park Avenue Armory
Arian Moayed, "A Doll’s House"
Brian Quijada, "Wolf Play," MCC Theater and Soho Rep
Miriam Silverman, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window," Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brandon Uranowitz, "Leopoldstadt"
Kara Young, "Cost of Living"

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical

Kevin Cahoon, "Shucked"
Kevin Del Aguila, "Some Like it Hot"
Robyn Hurder, "A Beautiful Noise," The Neil Diamond Musical
Mark Jacoby, "A Beautiful Noise," The Neil Diamond Musical
Tarra Conner Jones, "White Girl in Danger," Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Julia Lester, "Into the Woods"
Alex Newell, "Shucked"
Daniel Radcliffe, "Merrily We Roll Along," New York Theatre Workshop
Phillipa Soo, "Into the Woods"
Mare Winningham, "A Man of No Importance," Classic Stage Company

Outstanding Direction of a Play

Zi Alikhan, "On That Day in Amsterdam," Primary Stages
Shayok Misha Chowdhury, "Public Obscenities," Soho Rep and NAATCO
Miranda Cromwell, "Death of a Salesman"
Adam Meggido, "Peter Pan Goes Wrong"
Max Webster, "Life of Pi"
Alexander Zeldin, "Love," Park Avenue Armory

Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Jeff Calhoun, "Between the Lines"
John Doyle, "A Man of No Importance," Classic Stage Company
Maria Friedman, "Merrily We Roll Along," New York Theatre Workshop
Thomas Kail, "Sweeney Todd"
Jack O’Brien, "Shucked"

Outstanding Choreography

Andy Blankenbuehler, "Only Gold," MCC Theater
Tislarm Bouie, "the bandaged place"
Edgar Godineaux, "The Harder They Come," The Public Theater
Casey Nicholaw, "Some Like it Hot"
Susan Stroman, "New York, New York"
Jennifer Weber, "KPOP"

Outstanding Music

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, "Shucked"
Michael R. Jackson, "White Girl in Danger," Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Tom Kitt and AnnMarie Milazzo (vocal designer), "Almost Famous"
Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson, "Between the Lines"
The Kilbanes, "Weightless," WP Theater

Outstanding Lyrics

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, "Shucked"
Jonathan Hogue, "Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical"
Michael R. Jackson, "White Girl in Danger," Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Adam Schlesinger and Sarah Silverman, "The Bedwetter," Atlantic Theater Company
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, "Some Like it Hot"

Outstanding Book of a Musical

Jonathan Hogue, "Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical"
Robert Horn, "Shucked"
Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, "Some Like it Hot"
Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, "Titanique"
David West Read, "& Juliet"

Outstanding Orchestrations

Bruce Coughlin, "A Man of No Importance," Classic Stage Company
Jason Howland, "Shucked"
Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, "Some Like it Hot"
Kenny Seymour, "The Harder They Come," The Public Theater
Daryl Waters and Sam Davis, "New York, New York"

Outstanding Music in a Play

Ben Edelman, Zane Pais, and Sinan Refik Zafar, "Letters from Max, a ritual," Signature Theatre
Mauricio Escamilla, "the bandaged place," Roundabout Theatre Company
Suzan-Lori Parks, "Plays for the Plague Year," The Public Theater
Ian Ross, "Wuthering Heights," St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre
Daniel Schlosberg, "Montag," Soho Rep

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play

Jason Ardizzone-West, "Wedding Band," Theatre for a New Audience
Beowulf Boritt, "Ohio State Murders"
dots, "Public Obscenities," Soho Rep and NAATCO
Tim Hatley, "Life of Pi"
Natasha Jenkins, "Love," Park Avenue Armory
John McDermott, "Chains," Mint Theater Company

Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical

Beowulf Boritt, "New York, New York"
David Korins, "Only Gold," MCC Theater
Scott Pask, "Shucked"
Walt Spangler and Brendan McCann (production props), "Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical"
Michael Yeargan, "Camelot"

Outstanding Costume Design of a Play

Kara Branch, "According to the Chorus," New Light Theater Project
Enver Chakartash, "Public Obscenities," Soho Rep and NAATCO
Qween Jean, "Wedding Band," Theatre for a New Audience
Sarah Laux, "Wish You Were Here," Playwright Horizons
Emilio Sosa, "Ain’t No Mo’"
Roberto Surace, "Peter Pan Goes Wrong"

Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, "Some Like it Hot"
Tilly Grimes, "Shucked"
Jennifer Moeller, "Camelot"
Clint Ramos and Sophia Choi, "KPOP"
Anita Yavich, "Only Gold," MCC Theater
Donna Zakowska, "New York, New York"

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play

Isabella Byrd, "Epiphany," Lincoln Center Theater
Jiyoun Chang, "The Far Country," Atlantic Theater Company
Natasha Chivers and Willie Williams (video), "Prima Facie"
Allen Lee Hughes, "Ohio State Murders"
Cha See, "On That Day in Amsterdam," Primary Stages
Japhy Weideman, "The Piano Lesson"

Outstanding Lighting Design of a Musical

Ken Billington, "New York, New York"
Jeff Croiter, "Only Gold," MCC Theater
Heather Gilbert, "Parade"
David Grill, "Bob Fosse’s Dancin’"
Natasha Katz, "Sweeney Todd"

Outstanding Projection and Video Design

Simon Baker, "Wuthering Heights," St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, and National Theatre
Andrzej Goulding, "Life of Pi"
Caite Hevner, "Between the Lines," Tony Kiser Theater
Josh Higgason, "White Girl in Danger," Vineyard Theatre and Second Stage Theater
Nicholas Hussong, "On That Day in Amsterdam," Primary Stages
Johnny Moreno, "Public Obscenities," Soho Rep and NAATCO

Outstanding Sound Design of a Play

Justin Ellington, "Ohio State Murders"
Tom Gibbons, "Hamlet," Park Avenue Armory
Josh Anio Grigg, "Love," Park Avenue Armory
Lee Kinney and Daniel Kluger, "You Will Get Sick," Roundabout Theatre Company
Ben & Max Ringham, "A Doll’s House"
Mikaal Sulaiman, "Fat Ham," The Public Theater and National Black Theatre

Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical

Peter Hylenski, "Almost Famous"
Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, "Into the Woods"
John Shivers, "Shucked"
Joanna Lynne Staub, "Weightless," WP Theater
Jon Weston, "Parade"

Outstanding Wig and Hair

Campbell Young Associates, "Almost Famous"
Cookie Jordan, "The Piano Lesson"
Mia M. Neal, "Ain’t No Mo’"
Earon Nealey, "Twelfth Night," The Classical Theatre of Harlem
Mitsuteru Okuyama, "Chushingura 47 Ronin"
Luc Verschueren, "A Beautiful Noise," The Neil Diamond Musical

Outstanding Solo Performance

Jodie Comer, "Prima Facie"
David Greenspan, "Four Saints in Three Acts," Lucille Lortel Theatre
Jessica Hendy, "Walking With Bubbles," AMT Theater
Anthony Rapp, "Without You"
Tracy Thorne, "Jack Was Kind," Irish Repertory Theatre

Unique Theatrical Experience

"Asi Wind’s Inner Circle"
"Peter Pan Goes Wrong"
"Plays for the Plague Year," The Public Theater
"Zephyr," Cirque Mechanics at The New Victory Theater

Outstanding Fight Choreography

B.H. Barry, "Camelot"
Rocio Mendez, "Día Y Noche," LAByrinth Theater Company
Rocio Mendez, "How to Defend Yourself," The New York Theatre Workshop
Unkledave’s Fight-House, "soft," MCC Theater

Outstanding Adaptation

"A Doll’s House," by Amy Herzog
"Arden of Faversham," by Jeffrey Hatcher and Kathryn Walat, Red Bull Theater
"black odyssey," by Marcus Gardley, Classic Stage Company
"Oresteia," by Robert Icke, Park Avenue Armory
"Wuthering Heights," by Emma Rice, St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre

Outstanding Puppetry

John Leader, "Wuthering Heights," St. Ann’s Warehouse, Wise Children, National Theatre
James Ortiz (design), Kennedy Kanagawa (as Milky White), "Into the Woods"
Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, "Life of Pi"
Kirjan Waage, "The Immortal Jellyfish Girl," Wakka Wakka and Nordland Visual Theatre at 59E59

Special Awards

Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award

Stephen McKinley Henderson has been bringing in-depth, gripping portrayals of memorable characters to the stage for over four decades. With his return to Broadway this season as Pops in "Between Riverside and Crazy," which the Drama Desk previously nominated in 2015, this year’s Harold Prince Lifetime Achievement Award marks Henderson’s role in this powerful production as a celebration of his brilliant career.

Ensemble Award

The cast of Soho Rep’s "Public Obscenities" – Tashnuva Anan, Abrar Haque, Golam Sarwar Harun, Gargi Mukherjee, NaFis, Jakeem Dante Powell, and Debashis Roy Chowdhury – embodied the transnational world of Shayok Misha Chowdhury’s bilingual play with memorable authenticity, remarkable specificity, and extraordinary warmth.

Sam Norkin Off-Broadway Award

From his standout performance in american (tele)visions, to writing and performing the autobiographical "Dark Disabled Stories," Ryan J. Haddad’s work this season has expanded on and interrogated what the idea of “accessibility” really means. Whether riding a shopping cart like a throne, or relating his experiences on a “gay, pink bus,” Haddad shared with audiences an unabashed queer fabulosity that was both unforgettable and deeply human.